ArtGle

Been wanting one of these for 30+ years.
1974 T-Roof Coupe.
One Owner, Title (Ohio) states "1" mile.
Certificate from state of Ohio states .2 miles.
Car's been in a garage / barn for over 25 years.
Odometer shows 56,740 miles.
Original order form included.
Optional order options price list included.


L82 350
M21 transmission
Both Engine and Transmission are 'numbers matching'.
Saddle Tan interior
Classic White exterior
AM-FM Radio

"NO" power steering, air conditioning, power brakes. All manual.


Even has an 8 track player mounted behind / between the seats.
Also includes owner's manual for said tape player.
Engine has apparently been apart, heads have screw in studs and guide plates.
Heads and water pump and intake are ??? Brite Red.
Lower end of engine (as seen from below) is "COVERED" in dirt and oil.

The expected DRY ROT of rubber parts, body mounts, suspension parts.

Battery looks as new as the day it was installed, the 'warranty date tabs are still intact and years range from 1976 through 1979.
It's a Delco Freedom Battery with the little clear 'eye' that should be green when the battery's "GOOD".

After getting it home, went through the car, storage compartments gave up the following.

1967 Ohio Highways map
1974 Ohio Highways map
1976 Ohio Trails and Roads guide and map.

Very OLD unopened package of "silicone sealer"

ArtGle

Despite the "DIRTY" interior, I knew this was THE ONE.
Last night, out in the shop, cleaned the driver's side a bit.
The Seat came cleaner than I expected.
The Carpet came cleaner than I expected.
All the black 'spots' came out.

ArtGle

forgot to mention original Air Cleaner Assembly.
Original A.I.R. pump and hoses and pipes. (pump locked up).
Original Valve Covers.

Metalhead140

Nice! Keep us updated with your progress.

Alan 71

Hi AG,
Something you've been wanting for 30 years!!!!
Good for you!
Looks like you have a bit of work in front of you!
Good Luck as you get going.
Regards,
Alan

ArtGle

Drove up to RIK'S Corvette Parts in Morgantown, NC.
Bought Factory Manuals.
Body mount kit.

Harbor Freight for "TALL" jack stands.

And "It Begins"

bj1k

I like to see people ambitious enough to bring back these old corvette projects but be careful not to get too ambitious like so many others do and start buying tons of parts before the major work starts and then lose interest because then you will never get your money back for your full investment. Only buy the parts that you need as you go . Make sure that you don't find any shocking surprises after it is too far to bail. Don't look at the whole job. Look at it in stages. Looking at the whole job will just discourage you . If you are doing a whole body off restoration remove the body and set it aside and forget about it for now and just concentrate on the chassis and drive train. Then move on to the body. Don't set time limits on anything. There will always be delays and they can be discouraging if you let them . This is the same advice that I always gave my customers when I owned a restoration shop. Good luck , should be a nice 74 when completed.

tazz3'70

Congratulations! Enjoy the new project.

cobrachuck

Welcome
congrats good advice here on the forum ask any questions you may have
these are great fun drivers

bazza77

looks to be a nice project

ChattanoogaJSB

Did you inspect the frame and birdcage for rust?

Lots of Ohio gets lots of snow and this is already a serious project.

Good luck!

benton

minitech

Keep us posted with what you do. It is great to see projects as they come together. With lots of pictures along the way

For me I would clean it up as much as possible and get it into running and driving state. Then from there do restoration as I go but be able to drive it.

Some guys would go right to taking it all apart and doing a frame off project but not driving it for a couple years.

RonR80

Good luck with the resto. nice project , send lots of pics on the progress

Alan 71

Hi,
This car has a bit of an 'untouched' look to it but I noticed it has seat back upper bezels without the cut-outs (at least one of them) for shoulder belts?
Does the car have shoulder belts mounted on the rear wheel wells?
Just curious.
Regards,
Alan

RMVette

Looks like a complete car to start a restoration! Love the 8-track!

I also have a C5 along with a C3...the best of both worlds!

Going to keep it stock? Post pictures of your progress!

blue_74

I thought the cutout was for convertible models only, at least in '74. The '74 coupe I had did not have the cutout. The factory seatbelt combined the shoulder harness and lap belt into a single webbed belt that pulled around the seat as it was fastened. I'm pretty sure that's correct for a '74 coupe--only the convertibles had a separate belt that passed through the seat.

Tooch1

You are correct! In 74 shoulder belts did not pass through the seats on a coupe. Therefore the seat backs should not have the cutouts.
Jimmy

Tooch1

Hi Art,
Wow! What a great find! You have to be really excited going over everything on this pretty original looking car. You have a lot of the original hard to find items already present. Even though they are either rusted or worn they are original. For example your original air cleaner assembly with original hood seal. Even though the seal looks crappy (they always did) take care to try to keep it intact. Those are impossible to find as an oem part. None of the repros have the ridges running through them. You still have the original seat shims cloth bag in your jack compartment, with might be a shim showing? Another cool item is the starting label attached to the sun visor. That was the first thing many original owners tore off and threw away, especially on a convertible, because of how it looks with the top down and the visors pushed up. Don't remove it!!! You have most of the top shielding. Don't see the boomerangs, they may still be on the bottom of the engine. Also the plug heat shields aren't present, (manifolds???) but I do see the chrome rear lower outer shields. The original EGR valve is another expensive and hard to replace item. Another is the AIR system, which you are lucky enough to have, with all the correct tubes, hoses and tower clamps. The clamps on the heater hoses aren't correct though. You can have the pump rebuilt if you want it to function properly. Some guys take them apart and remove the fins, and reinstall for appearance purposes only. It will then turn freely but won't function as intended. The foam seal around your battery box still looks to be in great shape too, The 74 battery would have two sets of three gang caps on top of it with vent hoses going down inside the box through two holes on the bottom of it. The fiberboard jack tray is another tough to replace piece. Yours looks to be in really decent shape with only slight wear. Check the bottom of it for the date code ink stamped on it! Just from what I see in your pics, your car would be a great documentation car for the 74. For example all the vacuum hoses that are present look original. (White stripes and ridged lines). That PCV hose is also correct and original, with original style spring clamps and correct white letter markings.) If it were me I would take pictures of everything before you start to clean or work on the car, and make notes. May I suggest that you go to the NCRS store and purchase the 73-74 Judging and Technical Manual. It's only about $30.00. Yes, it's dated and definitely needs revised, but it will help you identify and document your car. Even if you don't want to keep it as original as possible, please use caution cleaning things. You may destroy, or wash away important items that can never be replaced. I just hope your frame and birdcage aren't rusted too bad. The 74 is similar in many ways to the 73, so if I can help or answer a question about originality don't hesitate to ask.
Good luck with your car!
Regards,
Jimmy

Alan 71

Hi b74 and Tooch,
Thanks!
That makes sense.
I googled and saw this drawing at the KEEN site listed as typical for a 74…. so I was misled.
Regards,
Alan

Easy Mike

Heard that little voice whispering in your ear, huh? I've heard it, too.